Welcome to the Planning Division of the Department of Environmental Services. Our mission is to create a better community for the people of Simi Valley by overseeing the development of a prosperous and sustainable community. We offer information and services to enhance and maintain City’s environment while ensuring a high quality of life for the community.

The Planning Division oversees various technical and administrative functions of the land use planning process. Through the formal review and public hearing process, the Planning Division implements, as adopted by the City Council, the City’s General Plan, which is the City’s vision for future development, Zoning Ordinance, and Design Guidelines.

The Planning Division responsibilities, in coordination with other departments and agencies, include land development, commercial and industrial tenant improvements, wireless telecommunication facilities, environmental assessments, affordable housing programs, signage, temporary events, annexations, long range planning, and support to the City Council, Planning Commission, and various City committees.

Contact

Department of Environmental Services
Environmental Services Director
Stratis Perros

Please email the Planning Division for assistance and further information or call us at (805) 583-6769.

Planning Resources

The following links provide guidance and step-by-step process to navigate applicants and the public to ensure that all proposed development meets community standards and fulfills all legal requirements. By selecting a link below, learn the City's requirements, access to the resources, and learn about the process to take your project from concept to completion.

• Home Improvements and Custom Homes (webpage under construction)
• Land Development (webpage under construction)
• Commercial & Industrial Tenant Improvements (webpage under construction)
• Starting a New Business and Home Occupation Permits
• Temporary and Permanent Signs
• Temporary Use Permits and Events 
• Wireless Telecommunications Permits
• Documents, Applications, and Development Activity (webpage under construction)
• Frequently Asked Questions (webpage under construction)

Massage Permit

A Massage permit is required to operate a Massage Business in Simi Valley. Visit the Massage Permit page to obtain permit requirements.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

On February 19, 2026, the City of Simi Valley partnered with the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce and hosted another well-attended Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Panel Event at the Simi Valley Public Library.  Participating panel members included builder, contractor, solar advisor, mortgage broker, title company representative, and City Planning staff.  The event featured a presentation with a Questions and Answers session to help residents explore ADU and junior ADU as viable form of lower-cost housing.  The event is held annually since 2023 as a part of a citywide ADU marketing program. 

Pursuant to State law, Government Code Section 65400, the City must track all ADUs and Junior ADUs, created within the City limits. As part of the permitting process, the City requests property owners with one or more ADUs to complete the Accessory Dwelling Unit Occupancy and Rents Survey.  Additionally, an FAQ sheet for frequently asked questions is available to provide survey details.

• Accessory Dwelling Unit Occupancy and Rents Survey
• FAQ sheet to the ADU survey

The City's Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance and development standards are currently undergoing updates. You can view the current ADU standards at SVMC 9-44.160 - Accessory Dwelling Units or download the ADU Guide and the California Department of Housing and Community Development's Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook to help start planning your ADU. Please email the Planning Division for assistance and information or call us at (805) 583-6769. 

For additional resources, please visit the Housing SoCal ADU website for a one-stop shop and access to many online tools to help with ADU project planning.

Property owners that are considering renting their ADU/JADU must observe all fair housing laws. The Fair Housing Factsheets provides information on residential tenants' and landlords' rights, including various protected classes and source of income protection.

SB 9 Units and Lot Splits

In 2021 State Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) was adopted allowing property owners within single-family zones to:

• Develop up to two primary residential units on a single lot with administrative approval; and
• Create a two-lot subdivision on an existing residential lot, subject to certain criteria being met (two primary units may also be constructed on each lot) with administrative approval.

SB 9 eliminated a significant amount of local control over land use planning, and supersedes several City regulations regarding single-family residential subdivision and development standards; however, the new law does preserve some authority for local jurisdictions to enact regulations through the adoption of new and objective zoning regulations

On October 23, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1352 establishing rules and regulations regarding Two-Unit Residential Developments and standards for subdividing single-family residential properties in response to SB 9. Ordinance No. 1352 became effective on December 18, 2023.

Owners/developers that are considering renting their SB 9 unit must observe all fair housing laws. The Fair Housing Factsheets provides information on residential tenants' and landlords' rights, including various protected classes and source of income protection.  

Housing Element Sites Inventory

Pursuant to Senate Bill 166, monitoring of no net loss is designed to help the City achieve its Regional Housing Needs Allocation targets.  The Housing Element Sites Inventory Tracking spreadsheet was developed to provide the required monitoring.

• Housing Element (2021-2029) Sites Inventory Tracking

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1397, the reused sites identified in the Housing Element site inventory for meeting the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) are subject to ministerial approval of housing development that includes 20 percent of the units as housing affordable to lower income households.  To help achieve the RHNA, the City established a Development Review Process for the reused sites to provide for the by-right approval residential developments that satisfy the criteria.

• Housing Element By Right Approval Process
• Housing Element Sites Inventory for By Right Approval

Please email the Planning Division for assistance and further information or call us at (805) 583-6769. 

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